In this age of educational accountability, there is an increasing emphasis on assessment and institutional effectiveness, not only in the academic arena but also in other aspects of community college operation, such as fiscal health and stability, revenue generation, resource allocation, facilities, workforce development, and community enrichment…

This brief concluding chapter offers final observations and potential new developments in tracking community college students.

This chapter distinguishes between benchmarks and benchmarking, describes a number of data and cultural limitations to benchmarking projects, and suggests that external demands for accountability are the dominant reason for growing interest in benchmarking among community colleges.

Program-level assessments at community colleges are particularly challenging because students often achieve their goals without completing a program, or they select an array of courses that suit their needs but do not fit within an officially recognized program of study.

Presents a conceptual model of student flow through the community college. Outlines the purposes of student tracking systems and discusses the tension between the theory and practice of designing and implementing tracking systems. (DMM)

Present examples of the difficulty of relying on computer programs to identify and communicate with students in academic difficulty, while still making room for human intervention and professional judgement. Illustrates some of the limitations of computer tracking systems. (DMM)

Examines the complexities, costs, and questions in planning and implementing feasible, reasoned assessment created by the dual phenomena of assessment and student mobility. Highlights institutional responsibility, student competence, timeliness, multiple and redundant assessment requirements, and lack of interinstitutional collaboration as issues…

Describes three qualitative research approaches used at Oakton Community College to provide insights into student experience as well as college assessment and promotion activities. Indicates that, when used with quantitative research, qualitative research results in a more comprehensive and realistic appraisal of student outcomes and institutional…